THIS WEEK’S TOP NEWS STORIES
JAMAICA CHOSEN DESTINATION OF THE YEAR BY TRAVEL WRITER ASSOCIATION
The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) has selected Jamaica as its destination of the year for 2019. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism was part of a delegation to the International Travel Award ceremony in Berlin, Germany. He said Jamaica was honored to again receive the prestigious award from the globally recognized organization. PATWA awards are given to honor individuals and organizations that have excelled in promotion of tourism.
JAMAICA’S GOVERNMENT PLANS PILOT PROGRAM FOR FOSTER CARE
Alando Terrelonge, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, has signed a service agreement with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and Family Life Ministers (FLM) in 2020. The project reflects the Jamaican government’s intention to place more children in state care in stable family environments. The project is part of a three-year initiative between CPFSA and FLM. Entitled “For tee Child Foster Care Program,” the pilot will involve the FLM in identifying, recruiting, assessing, engaging and informing the CPFSA of potential foster families for processing.
THIS WEEK’S TOP CARIBBEAN NEWS
WIND FARMS IN CUBA BREAK NEW GROUND
Wind turbine parts started to arrive in Cuba at the end of 2018 as the country made moves toward expanding its renewable energy usage. Cuba has great potential for the use of wind power in addition to its many solar parks. While harnessing the wind for power is now a new idea, operations like the Gibara wind park in Holguin, Cuba, reflect 21st-century approaches. Several wind farms are in the testing phase, with the most ambitious located in La Herradura 1 and La Herradura 2 parks, which have a total of 54 1.5 and 2.5 megawatt wind turbines. This is the first time a project of this size has been undertaken in Cuba.
THIS WEEK’S TOP JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
PROFESSOR CRITIZES LOW CHARITY GIVING AMONG DIASPORA MEMBERS
Professor Donald Morgan, a sociology professor and Jamaican philanthropist, has called out Jamaican expatriate who do not donate their time and money to efforts designed to develop and improve conditions in their homeland. Morgan’s Jamaica Volunteer Association Incorporation (JVA) has made millions of dollars in contributions to causes in Jamaica, and Morgan has often shown his disappointment in expatriates who have never given back to the home island. His criticism is focused on his belief that Diaspora members do not understand the importance of charity giving to Jamaica.
THIS WEEK’S TOP BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY
JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT MOVES TO ELIMINATE MINIMUM BUSINESS TAX
Jamaica’s government plans to abolish the minimum business as of the start of the new business year on April 1, 2019. According to Dr. Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, elimination of the tax represents part of the government’s action to begin giving back to the country following nearly two decades of tax increases. He also said that the move is expected to provide incentives that will encourage more micro and small business development.
THIS WEEK’S TOP ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
I-THREES REUNITED TO RECEIVE AWARD
In an emotional moment at the award ceremony of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), the all-female reggae group the I-Threes accepted the Iconic Award before an enthusiastic crowd of fans. The group, which includes Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, was honored for its outstanding contributions to reggae music. The appearance of Mowatt and Griffiths was marked with thunderous applause, and when Rita Marley was wheeled onto the center of the stage, the crowd rose it its feet in recognition of the remarkable moment. The appearance of Bob Marley’s widow brought some fans to tears.
THIS WEEK’S TOP SPORTS NEWS
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL ACADEMY TO FIND, DEVELOP NEW PLAYERS
The Reggae Girlz Foundation is looking to identify and develop a new generation of female football players. Michelle Adamolekun and Lisa Quarrie, the co-founders of the Foundation, announced plans are being made to create a football academy In Jamaica for young women players. The academy is designed to develop girl players from the age of six years old to become future players on national teams. It will also provide scholarships for Jamaican female footballers and to raise the profile of the game in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean region.
